By Ahmed Ayanfe
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that Nigeria is ready and fit to host the first-ever Global Conference on Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industry in November this year.
Buhari stated this on Thursday during a visit to the headquarters of the United Nations World Trade Organisation (UNWTO) in Madrid, the Spanish capital to kick-start his state visit to the country.
According to a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, President Buhari described the granting of the hosting rights as a “further proof of Nigeria’s support for the vision of the organisation and also an affirmation of the confidence reposed in our country by your organisation.”
He noted that the event would provide yet another opportunity for the country to showcase its tourism and creative industry to the whole world.
“It will also serve as an opportunity to extend our warm hospitality to the world and introduce the country’s leisure and business sectors to potential investors. We have not-so-well-known wonders to reveal!”
Buhari assured participants from across the world of, “a safe and secure environment as well as excellent facilities,” adding, “we look forward to welcoming all participants.”
Buhari also thanked the Secretary General for granting 100 UNWTO Online Academy Scholarships on the ‘Introduction to Tourism-Industry Management’, stressing that this would further boost youth empowerment and education as well as address the manpower shortage in the tourism sector.
Earlier in his speech, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, whose Ministry facilitated the conference, said Nigeria was given the hosting rights at the 64th meeting of the UNWTO in Cape Verde in 2021.
